HELENA, AL: Short Move

The last week has gone by quickly as we've spent time withour family in central AL with lots of  gatherings, good food and plenty of laughter.  And there's more to come. We've also enjoyed lunch with friends, and were entertained by grandson Steven as he played and sang at a local restaurant on Sunday afternoon.

Today we left the Hoover RV Park and settled in on the property of John and Peggy - ham radio friends - who happen to live just a short distance from Kathy.  They have 2 acres on a flat hilltop lot and invited us  to park on their "estate"  for a few days, as they did last Christmas.

Tonight's New Year's Eve gathering will be at Debbie's house in Montevallo.  Carolyn (our niece) and her daughter Sophie arrived yesterday from Louisville to add to our numbers. 

HOOVER, AL: Twas Two Days Before Christmas

After a wonderful visit with our Kentucky family and friends, this morning we left Shepherdsville for the drive to central Alabama.  The trip began about 9:40 A.M. EST under very cloudy skies. The rain started around Columbia, TN, and quickly became a downpour, just like the forecasters had  promised.  After a fuel stop and a quick lunch at a parking area, and driving through more heavy rainfall,  we arrived in at the Hoover RV Park  about 3:45 CST.  The rain stopped long enough for us to get hooked up to the utilities, and then we settled in for a relaxing evening.

We'll be in this area for almost two weeks and  we'll either remain at the Hoover RV Park or move to a friend's property in a few days.. 

SHEPHERDSVILLE, KY: Christmas Has Begun

Since our last post on December 13, we spent 4 nights at the Singing Hills RV Park in Cave City, KY.  The last few weeks have been filled with activities, both social and personal, and we felt the need to just kick back and get some other chores done before the holiday gatherings began.  Singing Hills RV  Park is out in the country just down the road from Mammoth Cave, and while it's not a fancy place, it was the perfect spot for us to catch our breath and prepare for the days ahead.  We were on site 37 in the back of the property, with good connections and free WI-fi.

Thursday, we were ready to move on to Shepherdsville.  We had a nice lunch stop on the way with Leon and Nadine (ham radio friends) in Radcliff, Ky at the Colton's Steak House & Grill before making the short drive to Grandma's RV Park in Shepherdsville.

We've stayed at Grandma's several times.  It's a compact campground with long, level sites and decent wi-fi in sight of I-65. Some people complain about the owners, but we just follow their rules and we've had no problems.

Last night, we spent a great evening at Joel & Jan's (Selene's brother & sister-in-law).  Their neighbors, Skeeter & Maggie, and Selene's sister Mary Kay, were also there and it was great to be back with this branch of the family once again. Today, Debbie (daughter) and Robert will arrive from AL, and on Monday, our son, Mike,  will arrive from Raleigh  by plane to join the group.   The next few days will be filled with family, food and festivities as we celebrate together.

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!!

CALHOUN, GA; Another Travel Day Ends with Friends

This morning, via ham radio, we found out that Gary & Nancy (friends from Huntington, WV)  were heading south on I-75 from Kentucky on their way to Florida, and would be stopping at the Calhoun, GA KOA.  We were going to be traveling north on I-75 and were planning on staying near the same area.  A couple of phone calls brought a plan together and the four of us headed for Calhoun, GA from different directions.

We left George and Anita's home in Macon, GA about 12:45 P.M. after hugs and many thanks for their hospitality.  Our trip through Atlanta via I-75 had several slowdowns due to holiday shoppers and normal Atlanta traffic. but we made it through the metro area safely in about an hour.  It was an easy drive from Atlanta to the Calhoun KOA .   We arrived about 2:30 to find Gary and Nancy already set up, and site 96  next to them reserved for Little House.  We enjoyed Happy Hour together before going to Shoney's for a leisurely supper and good conversation.  Meeting friends on the road is always a special treat.

The Calhoun KOA has very friendly workers and long sites with free cable and free WI-fi, although the cable hookup didn't work for us.  Some sites are more level than others, but with the help of wood under the front tires and our leveling jacks,  we were able to settle into place.  This evening, a worker brought us two freshly made cookies - a nice touch.

We continue to enjoy beautiful sunny days, although the nighttime temperatures are pretty chilly (around 32 degrees). Tomorrow, we continue our journey northwest.  We need to be in Shepherdsville, KY by next Friday afternoon. 

MACON, GA: Visit with Friends

Yesterday, we had a nice drive on US highways from Brunswick to Macon, GA.  We followed George and Janice most of the way and had a nice lunch at Subway in Timber City before parting company.  Last night, we enjoyed the hospitality of George & Anita, ham radio friends,  where  Little House is parked on the driveway in front of their RV barn.  Don & Beth, more ham radio friends, live across the street, and we had a great time catching up on everyone's news.

A little later today, we'll be moving further northwest through Atlanta on I-75, and will probably stop somewhere before we reach Chattanooga. 

BRUNSWICK TO MACON: Travel Day

The Metter Roadrunner December camping trip has come to an end.  The days were full of conversation as we gathered around the huge fireplace in the meeting room, lots of good food, and beautiful although chilly weather all week. Last night we had our final dinner which was a "low country boil" with shrimp, sausages, corn and potatoes, and a baked ham along with side dishes and desserts.  We finished the evening with a Chinese gift exchange.

This morning the temperature got down to  33. Later this morning, we'll move from Brunswick to Macon, GA.  Our plan is to follow another member who lives in that direction and knows a shorter route instead of traveling the  interstate route, which is rather boring.  We're going to George and Anita's house (ham radio friends) who have invited us to "moochdock" in their driveway.  It should be about a 3 or 4 hour drive with a stop for lunch on the way.

BRUNSWICK, GA: Same City, Different RV Park

Over the last 5 days, our activities have been routine  We had a couple of WalMart trips, a CVS visit, grocery runs, and other shopping chores, as well as two lunches out..  The Golden Isle RV Park did not have  a resort atmosphere, but it was an inexpensive stay that met our needs.

Today we moved 5 minutes away to the Coastal Georgia RV Resort, also in Brunswick, GA, to site 306.. We're here with the Metter Roadrunners, a Georgia RV Club that also has several other hams in it.  The group is having their December campout at this park.  In contrast to Coastal Isles, this park does have a resort atmosphere with beautiful surroundings, long concrete pads, free cable and very good free WiFi, a nice fishing lake, swimming pool, and a large clubhouse with kitchen on the side of the lake. Of course, the rates are higher here, but we saved a little with the group rate.  So far, 4 couples have arrived.  Since the weather is very cool, our Happy Hour took place in the clubhouse in front of the large fireplace and a roaring fire.  We went to dinner at Steak and Shake with Katie and Mike to cap off another enjoyable day.

The weather forecast is for colder temperatures for the next 5 days, but we'll be sharing lots of warm hugs and laughter as we visit with our friends.  There will be 6 more couples arriving in RV's tomorrow, and 3 visiting on Thursday for a meeting and dinner.  We'll be here until Friday morning when we'll head northeast to Macon, GA.